He'd become enamoured with the instrument because his first grade teacher - our beloved Ms. Z - played one. And he had a plan to ask the Nonni, Grandma, and Poppa to send him money towards his mandolin for his birthday...instead of a present. He found the mandolin that he wanted, emptied out his piggy bank, and calculated how much he needed, and asked me if I could convey that to the grandparents. I did. So, less than two weeks after he turned 8, Riley had his instrument in hand and I had even found a local mandolin teacher for him.Flash forward one year...the kid is good! He's been taking lessons for a year and his repertoire includes Bach, some bluegrass, some jazz, Greek songs, Spanish songs, and folk songs; he and his teacher "invented" the surf-mandolin genre and Riley's even composed a piece of his own. I am in awe. And I am not easily impressed.
Throughout the year, the Nonni have noticed that Dylan is taking an interest in music - Nonna has been working with him on the piano - but the green-eyed monster called Sibling Rivalry is still rearing its nasty visage. They won ukulele lessons at a raffle and, after discussing it with Dylan, he said that he really wants to learn how to play the ukulele. So, yesterday Nonna and I researched and bought Dylan a baritone ukulele and Nonno will drive him to and from San Jose for four private lessons.
The stringed instruments most kids choose - violin, guitar - do not appeal to my out-of-the-box-thinking little Manns. So, we have acquired yet another odd stringed instrument in the family. Now what am I going to play!?!
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